PERSPECTIVE
It's Time to Lead the Flock
You have the power to effect change.
By Bill Hopkinson, IFCCE, CPBE
W
"We have many
challenges facing our
industry today and
we need leadership
at all levels. It doesn't
really take much to be
a leader-just a little
action and a willingness
to keep up with
compliance in an everchanging industry."
12
hen I go to a conference
or meeting and someone
comments to me that I am
a leader within ACA International, I'm
actually a bit embarrassed. Why? Because I
consider every member of ACA a leader in
some fashion. I'm not really any different
than another member in this regard.
Webster's dictionary defines leadership
as the office or position of a leader; the
capacity to lead; or the act or an instance of
leading. Let's look at the first definition: the
office or position of a leader. This is simply
recognition of stepping forward and being
passionate about something.
If you are a veteran, on the board of a
nonprofit or a volunteer fireman, you're a
leader. If you've ever been in a position of
management, you are a leader. If you've ever
been elected to an office, you're a leader. If
you have been entrusted to train another
person, you are a leader. But being put in
a position or being elected to office is not
recognition of your capacity to lead. Instead,
it is recognition of your past actions using
your capacity to lead.
This is where the second definition of
leadership comes into play. Every ACA
member has the capacity to lead. Under the
Telephone Consumer Protection Act, we
should all know what the term "capacity"
means, but here we are talking about human
capacity: an individual's mental or physical
ability or aptitude.
I think we all have the capacity to lead.
What makes a good leader? What shows
leadership? The answer is action! Leadership
is taking action, using your ability and
capacity to effect change.
The final definition of leadership is an
act or instance of leading. This is a better
definition, as leadership is action. It's
stepping forward to be an active part of
something larger than yourself. Leadership
always involves others. You cannot lead
yourself-you can only motivate yourself.
Good leaders also know how to motivate
others. Often this means leading by action,
by doing something for a common good
for many, or by being an example for others
to follow.
There is no doubt that leadership
requires action. Think about who you
consider leaders. Would you say those
people are active in working with
others to either enhance the person or a
common goal? All of the leaders I know
do this very well.
We have many challenges facing our
industry today and we need leadership at
all levels. It doesn't really take much to be a
leader-just a little action and a willingness
ACAINTERNATIONAL.ORG

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